Every couple wants their wedding to be unique and that is why giving your own personal stamp of originality can really make a difference- be it through handmade Invites, your own table arrangements or a choreographed first dance. But what if you want a really original reception that is not offered by the usual venue packages?

Despite the variety of venues and facilities now open to couples who intending to marry, some people still like to arrange their own ‘DIY’ wedding. They could be doing this for a number of reasons; because they want an elaborate theme, because they are able to utilise garden space for a Marquee or simply they find many venues too restrictive on choice and inflexible with their plans.

There are many advantages to a ‘DIY’ wedding, for one, you can stay firmly in control and depending on your budget and how ambitious and confident you are the sky could literally be your limit in terms of what you can have. If the venue is your own property there is no issue about access and you can make sure lots of elements are ready in good time. It also means you can make the day as long as you want! You don’t have to pay corkage which can work out to be very expensive ordinarily and buy your drinks in bulk for cheaper. Some supermarkets even provide glass hire for free or a small deposit which is definitely worth bearing in mind.

I myself have helped organize ‘DIY’ weddings, the main reason being that the couple are Hindu and need to make their vows in front of a small fire, something that a lot of venues are unable to accommodate. The results have always been truly memorable days with the knowledge that no other wedding would be quite like that one again!

So if you think you will be going down this route here are a few words of advice:

‘DIY’ does not necessarily mean cheaper.

At a venue a meal could cost £50 a head which may seem a lot but this generally includes not just the food but the venue (including the kitchens, the receptions rooms and bathrooms), the tableware, the linen, the cutlery, the glassware, the ice, the serving staff etc. So, although you may be to source excellent food very cheaply, you will then need to think about all these other components and the added complexity (and cost they may bring) e.g. when you buy bags of ice you may need to hire chiller cabinets to keep it in.
It can also be frustrating as to hire items can be very expensive, indeed some items can be only a fraction less than it costs to buy the item, but then again, once your wedding day is over what will you do with 20 sugar bowls?

‘DIY’ is not for the faint hearted.

You need good organizational and communication skills and lots of time.
Basically you will have to deal with all the suppliers. If you work somewhere without a telephone or email access then you could be pushed. For example, at a typical wedding the suppliers could include the marquee company, the serving staff, the caterers, the DJ, various tableware hire places, the florist etc, and unless you have very proactive suppliers be prepared to do a lot of the chasing yourself. You also have to be organized enough to have every eventuality thought of as after all, on your wedding day you don’t want to be still directing the events, you want to celebrating with all of your guests.

Some companies are not interested in playing only a small part.

A lot of companies make their money precisely because they offer a complete service. If you want only small elements of it then they may put a couple who do want the whole package ahead of in terms of priority. Just be prepared for this and always be upfront with your intentions.

You need your friends and family!

On the run up to your wedding day you do not have an army of employees who can help with small tasks like folding napkins or driving to pick up your tableware. This is where your friends and families can be very helpful, but remember, you must be able to trust them if you want to be able to enjoy the experience.

There is no dress rehearsal.

Many of you will never have had to organize a wedding or a large scale event before and yet here you are estimating drinks per head, designing the layout of marquees and talking about power and generators with the band and DJ. A lot of these suppliers will probably never have worked together before either nor know their way around the place – its not like working in their usual hotel or kitchen.

So, as you see there are some risks involved in styling your own wedding and it can eat severely into your leisure time, but then again it can be extremely rewarding and satisfying. Whatever you decide though, the best of luck and I am sure you will have lots of fun planning your day and enjoying it!